Tucker and Vlada Lopez Family
Donation protected
Words from Vlada Lopez in remembrance of her husband and best friend Tucker Lopez:
"I cannot describe the pain and sadness, it’s incomprehensible.
Tucker is and always be my best friend and the only love I’ve had since we were 15 and 17. He used to comfort me by stating the first law of thermodynamics; that no energy gets created in the universe, and none is destroyed, you just become less orderly. He had an amazing way of combining science and spirituality, never choosing one over the other.
Tucker accomplished being a graduate, husband, father, surfer, scientist. He was intelligent, caring, gentle, generous, brave, honest, loyal, loving, private, funny, strong, spiritual. He was a wonderful father to Eva and a perfect partner to me. I love and always will love Tucker very much.
Tucker passed February 25. About 10 minutes after midnight. Me on the right, Matthew Lopez on the left and Tyler Lopez at the feet. We were with Tucker when he took his last few breaths. I know he is not in pain anymore. I know he will watch over Eva. I promised him everything will be ok.
Tucker was as deep and as beautiful as the ocean. It is a privilege to have gotten close to a wonderful being like him. He is a kind, young King. He will live on through Eva’s eyes."
We will leave this GoFundMe active for a time so that we may all reflect on the family's journey. If you feel called to donate in support of his daughter Eva, you are welcome to do so.
Thank you everyone for the thoughts, prayers, donations and energy you devoted to supporting the family.
It began in November 2018:
In November of 2018, Tucker Lopez began to experience great physical discomfort, specifically in his stomach. With the recent loss of his father in 2016 from a gastric related cancer, there was an urgency for answers. After numerous tests, scans and trips to the hospital through the holiday season, Tucker was diagnosed with stage 4 gastric adenocarcinoma (stomach cancer). Genetic testing has confirmed that Tucker has the rare CDH1 Gene mutation which we know know is responsible for both his father's and his gastric cancer diagnosis. You can find more information on this at www.nostomachforcancer.org.
Update - December 2019:
Tucker visited the ER for a few days during the Thanksgiving holiday. They were able to place a new stent in his stomach (he has a total of 3 stents now).
Upon the advice and confirmation from several specialists, the next step is to complete a biopsy which will help isolate a customized treatment for his specific cancer. The testing is done at a private lab, which unfortunately will cost $5,000. Due to the nature of a biopsy, sometimes, it doesn’t collect enough cancer cells in the sample and the testing must be repeated, which will cost another $5,000. In the past, we have had samples where the cancer was undetectable and we had to repeat the testing. The good news is that this private lab has had very good success in doing this, even for late stage cancer, and we are very hopeful about it. It will only take about a week to complete testing, and the results will find an improved treatment that targets Tucker’s cancer specifically.
We are also in contact with National Institute of Health in Maryland where they have a current trial available for last stage stomach cancer in which Tucker may be a good candidate. The methods and treatments in this trial are very promising, but acceptance to join the trial is not guaranteed. We may need to fly there to be seen in person to receive an opinion, and hopefully, admittance to the trial. The cost for this is roughly $2,500 for flight and lodging alone.
All in all, we are anticipating out-of-pocket expenses related to Tucker’s treatment to be $12,500 for the next few months. We are hopeful for these steps we intend to take, and are trying to keep positive momentum going. It has been enduring, but Tucker, Eva, and Vlada appreciate all your support very much.
Update - November 2019:
Tucker is currently working closely with his medical team on a recovery plan. He's gone through several successful rounds of treatments, but it's all still a challenge because there isn't a lot of research about Tucker's condition. They have a good medical team in place, options to pursue, and are in contact with NoStomachForCancer.org, as they have been an incredible source of information and support.
Tucker spends a lot of his time with his family, continuing to adventure and explore beautiful San Diego. Eva has turned 3 years old, and started learning ballet. The family's heart is so full, and so thankful for all the support, love, prayers, and encouragement from everyone.
About Tucker:
Tucker is a kind, supportive friend and a devout family man. He is an avid surfer, music enthusiast, passionate scientist and dedicated hockey player. The passion for his hobbies and career are only eclipsed by the love for his wife and high school sweetheart, Vlada, and their 2-year-old daughter, Eva.
Tucker is the sole income provider for his family and his fight will begin with immediate treatment. Any donations, large or small, will provide much needed support and peace of mind for their family as Tucker focuses on his battle. Due to insurance not covering all treatment avenues available, we have increased our fundraising goal to ensure that Tucker's options are not limited. At this time, all donations will be used to cover any expenses related to his treatment.
It is said that in our darkest times, our light can be rekindled by the spark of others. With so much love and appreciation, we thank you for your support during this difficult time.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Praise to the God of All Comfort
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
"I cannot describe the pain and sadness, it’s incomprehensible.
Tucker is and always be my best friend and the only love I’ve had since we were 15 and 17. He used to comfort me by stating the first law of thermodynamics; that no energy gets created in the universe, and none is destroyed, you just become less orderly. He had an amazing way of combining science and spirituality, never choosing one over the other.
Tucker accomplished being a graduate, husband, father, surfer, scientist. He was intelligent, caring, gentle, generous, brave, honest, loyal, loving, private, funny, strong, spiritual. He was a wonderful father to Eva and a perfect partner to me. I love and always will love Tucker very much.
Tucker passed February 25. About 10 minutes after midnight. Me on the right, Matthew Lopez on the left and Tyler Lopez at the feet. We were with Tucker when he took his last few breaths. I know he is not in pain anymore. I know he will watch over Eva. I promised him everything will be ok.
Tucker was as deep and as beautiful as the ocean. It is a privilege to have gotten close to a wonderful being like him. He is a kind, young King. He will live on through Eva’s eyes."
We will leave this GoFundMe active for a time so that we may all reflect on the family's journey. If you feel called to donate in support of his daughter Eva, you are welcome to do so.
Thank you everyone for the thoughts, prayers, donations and energy you devoted to supporting the family.
It began in November 2018:
In November of 2018, Tucker Lopez began to experience great physical discomfort, specifically in his stomach. With the recent loss of his father in 2016 from a gastric related cancer, there was an urgency for answers. After numerous tests, scans and trips to the hospital through the holiday season, Tucker was diagnosed with stage 4 gastric adenocarcinoma (stomach cancer). Genetic testing has confirmed that Tucker has the rare CDH1 Gene mutation which we know know is responsible for both his father's and his gastric cancer diagnosis. You can find more information on this at www.nostomachforcancer.org.
Update - December 2019:
Tucker visited the ER for a few days during the Thanksgiving holiday. They were able to place a new stent in his stomach (he has a total of 3 stents now).
Upon the advice and confirmation from several specialists, the next step is to complete a biopsy which will help isolate a customized treatment for his specific cancer. The testing is done at a private lab, which unfortunately will cost $5,000. Due to the nature of a biopsy, sometimes, it doesn’t collect enough cancer cells in the sample and the testing must be repeated, which will cost another $5,000. In the past, we have had samples where the cancer was undetectable and we had to repeat the testing. The good news is that this private lab has had very good success in doing this, even for late stage cancer, and we are very hopeful about it. It will only take about a week to complete testing, and the results will find an improved treatment that targets Tucker’s cancer specifically.
We are also in contact with National Institute of Health in Maryland where they have a current trial available for last stage stomach cancer in which Tucker may be a good candidate. The methods and treatments in this trial are very promising, but acceptance to join the trial is not guaranteed. We may need to fly there to be seen in person to receive an opinion, and hopefully, admittance to the trial. The cost for this is roughly $2,500 for flight and lodging alone.
All in all, we are anticipating out-of-pocket expenses related to Tucker’s treatment to be $12,500 for the next few months. We are hopeful for these steps we intend to take, and are trying to keep positive momentum going. It has been enduring, but Tucker, Eva, and Vlada appreciate all your support very much.
Update - November 2019:
Tucker is currently working closely with his medical team on a recovery plan. He's gone through several successful rounds of treatments, but it's all still a challenge because there isn't a lot of research about Tucker's condition. They have a good medical team in place, options to pursue, and are in contact with NoStomachForCancer.org, as they have been an incredible source of information and support.
Tucker spends a lot of his time with his family, continuing to adventure and explore beautiful San Diego. Eva has turned 3 years old, and started learning ballet. The family's heart is so full, and so thankful for all the support, love, prayers, and encouragement from everyone.
About Tucker:
Tucker is a kind, supportive friend and a devout family man. He is an avid surfer, music enthusiast, passionate scientist and dedicated hockey player. The passion for his hobbies and career are only eclipsed by the love for his wife and high school sweetheart, Vlada, and their 2-year-old daughter, Eva.
Tucker is the sole income provider for his family and his fight will begin with immediate treatment. Any donations, large or small, will provide much needed support and peace of mind for their family as Tucker focuses on his battle. Due to insurance not covering all treatment avenues available, we have increased our fundraising goal to ensure that Tucker's options are not limited. At this time, all donations will be used to cover any expenses related to his treatment.
It is said that in our darkest times, our light can be rekindled by the spark of others. With so much love and appreciation, we thank you for your support during this difficult time.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Praise to the God of All Comfort
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
Fundraising team (5)
Christine Birdsong
Organizer
San Diego, CA
Vlada Lopez
Beneficiary
Domonique Lopez
Team member
Samantha Beilhart
Team member
Jessica Qsar
Team member
Jaime Cummings
Team member
